The era of V8-powered Toyota towing ability could be coming to an end.
A CarAdvice report suggests the next generation of Toyota LandCruiser is likely to see the iconic 4.6-litre petrol and 4.5-litre twin-turbo diesel V8 powerplant dropped in favour of V6 propulsion.
According to “well-placed sources”, the 300 Series LandCruiser could likely see the petrol/diesel V8 replaced with V6 versions of both fuel types from 2021, as well as a hybrid in due course
The petrol and diesel V8’s demise is understood to be a victim of the global clamp-down on emissions, with Toyota’s motor producing either 438Nm or 650Nm of torque respectively, with quoted fuel consumption figures of 13.4L/100km (petrol) and 9.5L/100km (diesel).
Toyota Australia head of head of product planning and development, Bernard Nadal, tells CarAdvice the writing’s on the wall.
Bernard Nadal, Toyota Australia, product planning. Image: LinkedIn.
“You would see most brands are shifting down from V8s whether it be petrol or diesel configurations,” he says.
“It’s generally in the pursuit of greater efficiencies and to reduce CO2 emissions, so that’s the global trend,” Nadal explains.
Nadal says any suggestion Australia won’t go for a hybrid LandCruiser is misplaced.
“The current hybrid take-up…It’s going very, very well for us, not just in Australia, but also key European markets and in America,” he continues.
“That’s a fair sign of where we’re going,” Nadal adds.
Toyota has already announced by 2025 it expects “every model in the Toyota and Lexus line-up around the world” to be available “either a dedicated electrified model or have an electrified option”.
